Untilted wrote:...Out of curiosity, what have been your observations of the built-in speaker/mic processing function?

To answer your question, yes, the pulsing does occur when I created a new empty project and then add a MIDI track. CPU meter then shows usage, moving from 0%-1% as the pulsing occurs.

So it's as if the presence of an Auria MIDI track causes CPU bursts, which result in RF interference when connected to the dock. Weird. What does @Rim say about the CPU bursts?

The reason I asked about the speaker/mic processing status is just that, when OFF, it seems to make the inbuilt mic much more sensitive, especially to ambient/background mush (like removing a high-cut filter). I wondered if that might somehow be affecting the USB inputs and altering your perception of noise. I do wonder if plugging headphones into the iPad when it's connected to the iTrack Dock (instead of to the dock's headphone socket only), is a good idea and might activate the inbuilt mic somehow.

But I'm way out of my comfort/knowledge zone now. Perhaps Focusrite might have something to say about RF issues?

Rim wrote:Auria is capable of using a lot more CPU than other apps, so it's possible you haven't noticed this with other apps.

Rim

While this probably is the case, I'm not so sure that the 'CPU bursts' from an empty project with 1 midi track, 1-2% max CPU usage is really pushing the limits of my iPad in this instance.

Is there another app (preferably free) that you know of that will tax the iPad Air 2 similar to the way Auria pro does? I'd like to push the limits of my iPad Air 2 when fully charged to rule out Auria Pro.

Update:
So I've followed this up with Focusrite, and they have been able to replicate this issue on their side, iOS 9.3.2, with Auria Pro, on an iPad Air 2.

At this stage, interference noise is heard when the CPU under processing load, or when the iPad is fully charged (with a MIDI track present in Auria pro). I've asked Focusrite to update me if there were any workarounds.

@RIM In terms of the compatible interface list, I would highly recommend that the itrack dock be taken off the list of compatible devices, at least for users wanting to use an iPad Air 2. If I had the chance to do it all over again, I'd stay away from the itrack dock.

Thanks all for your assistance throughout the process of identifying the issue.

c0wfunk wrote:I guess I never use midi instruments so this would not have come up? I have always only used midi tracks to drive external hardware. Thanks for the link but I don't think the whole thing made it

I have exactly the same problem that Untilted described (iTrack Dock + Air 2).
To rule out Auria as a part of this problem I connected a fully charged iPad Air 2 to the dock, powered it up and ran the Tonestack 3 app (which also uses a lot of cpu). I got the same interference noise.
This is a real problem, because the noise bleeds everywhere, recorded tracks and monitoring included.
I've got a open ticket with Focusrite concerning this issue, but if this is a design flaw a replaced unit won't solve the problem. Guess I'll try to get a refund and get something else.

dennycolt wrote:I have exactly the same problem that Untilted described (iTrack Dock + Air 2).
To rule out Auria as a part of this problem I connected a fully charged iPad Air 2 to the dock, powered it up and ran the Tonestack 3 app (which also uses a lot of cpu). I got the same interference noise.
This is a real problem, because the noise bleeds everywhere, recorded tracks and monitoring included.
I've got a open ticket with Focusrite concerning this issue, but if this is a design flaw a replaced unit won't solve the problem. Guess I'll try to get a refund and get something else.

Good luck with the open ticket, I hope that focusrite offers your something more than they did for me. It is a design flaw, but blame should be shouldered by Apple as well with their 'MFI' certification.
If you're handy with electronic devices, I would highly suggest the mod mentioned above. It's brilliant IMO, and focusrite should implement it as a fix in future itrack docks (I'm dreaming, i know).

Thanks! I'm not getting my hopes up but might as well give it a shot. I'm not that handy with mods but luckily I have friends with such talent.
The next bit of gear I'll be getting is a proper interface, though.